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Stop Me: 1993 Buick Roadmaster Wagon

Occasionally we get to write up cars we really like. Okay, more than occasionally. Sometimes we even end up purchasing the finds we write up. And sometimes I (I can’t speak for my fellow writers here, but I suspect at least some feel the same way) we write up cars we really want in an effort to drive the price out of our own reach — to save us from ourselves. As I write this I am the high bidder on this car. I’m guessing that will change in the next hours but we’ll see. It’s a 1993 Buick Roadmaster wagon that is located in Creekside, Pennsylvania. And my bid is now $3,552 in the auction here on eBay. Feel free to outbid me! Or not!

I’m a sucker for these last of the giant American wagons, and this one pushes every button I have except for the color — which I can live with. My wife is in love with the car too; as a matter of fact, it would certainly be her toy, not mine. She just threatened to bid against me (she’s sitting beside me as I type) if I don’t bid high enough. Note: my wife is a real keeper and this is a great problem to have. I think this wagon, with only 88,000 miles, is a real keeper too! The Roadmaster featured the same type of vinyl “wood” found on many 60s & 70s wagons and all the soft ride you’d ever want. Acres of fake wood and acres of velour!

The two-way tailgate is attractive as well, and this car even has the fold-down third rear seat! So why am I writing it up? Because it’s the right thing to do — that who we are and how we roll at Barn Finds! The car has had three owners so far and the current seller had had it since December. They are selling it and two other wagons in order to locate and purchase a 1957 Chevy Nomad. I wish them luck (seriously) in their quest!

Just look at that expanse of real plastic wood! I know the year says 1993 (and they made this model through 1996, with 1994-up models getting a version of the LT1 Corvette V8 and 80 more horsepower) but it looks like the 80s to me! Rad (plastic) Wood?

Here’s the 350 cubic inch V8, with 180 horsepower in this version. The seller says everything works including the air conditioning and that the tires are “like new”. Okay — I’ve tried to be honest and give you folks a chance to outbid me — do it and stop me from adding another car!

Comments

  1. Avatar JerryDeeWrench

    Send me 500.00 and I won’t out bid you.

    Like 17
    • Avatar jamie Staff

      I like your strategy…

      Like 8
  2. Avatar Scotty Gilbertson Staff

    Hey, I thought that you were taking a hiatus from buying any more cars, Jamie?! I told myself that I wouldn’t buy any for a while but now I have to try to keep up with you if you get this one! Best of luck, I hope you can grab it!

    Like 10
  3. Avatar Redwagon

    15h 23m left and you’re still high bidder.

    Like 2
  4. Avatar JeffD

    How can you not like that color? To me it was the second choice that year behind the Black Cherry. I wish I could outbid you, sounds like a nice one, but also, my son needs a car right now, and I don’t think he would find it funny if I told him this was “Beige Betty’s” cousin “Blue Brittany”….lol. I would find it amusing though, but I don’t think the rest of the family would. One more question though…..does it have dual cupholders?

    Like 2
    • Avatar jamie Staff

      For some reason (and I really don’t know why) I’ve always liked these in white. Plus, as an NC State alumnus light blue makes me queasy…

      Like 3
  5. Avatar normadesmond

    Hope you get it!

    Like 2
  6. Avatar AMCFAN

    Jamie, Better hold up. 1994 -1996 Estates had the LT1. They are far and above better car. The newer Estate’s have leather and a whole lot more of standard features.

    Drive this car w/5.7 and it feels like a 305. Campare it to the 1994-96 and you will see what I mean. The only one to disagree is the guy selling this.

    Amazing the Buick people got the LT1 option past GM. I guess they were tired of trying to pass someone or getting run over on an on ramp. Olds and Chevrolet had their versions of the LT1

    The 94-96 Buick Estate is the top Real estate! Have had both Estate and Caprice. Fantastic rides that still pull hard at 70 mph. Both of my cars had custom 20″ wheels. Both had Impala SS grilles and my Caprice was a wood delete. Had the custom paint with flame fade. Very fun cars I miss.

    Like 4
    • Avatar connbackroads

      Thank you,

      Your experience and advice just stopped me from bidding against Jamie.

      Like 1
    • Avatar jamie Staff

      Understood on the power of the later cars. Honestly, we’d be ok with 305 power — remember, I drive old British stuff with well under 100 hp. :-) But I do understand that’s at least part of the reason the price is where it is.

      The later ones on eBay for 15k and up are nice…but way out of our price range!

      I DO appreciate the advice, though!!! And the expertise!

      Like 2
      • Avatar JeffD

        I disagree on the 305 part. I have a 93 Roadmaster sedan with this exact engine. For comparison, I also have a 95 Caprice with the LT1. Does the LT1 have more power? Sure. Still, the throttle body motor is adequate and pretty responsive, if not as “snappy”. It for sure has more power on hills than any 305 I have ever had, and we formerly had two 80’s Monte Carlos with them. I’d be satisfied with the throttle body as a daily driver, and the upside is it doesn’t have the optispark distributor, which can be trouble.

        Like 2
    • Avatar Matthew

      Nonsense, I would never touch another LT1. The TBI cars are slower but still perfectly adequate. What they are is much more reliable and have a much nicer interior. I don’t favor the cheap cost cutting dash and cheap leather seats in the 94-96 cars. I deliberately only buy the 92 and 93 cars with the 350. Quite a noticeable difference over the 305 in the hills. The 92 and 93 cars are the ones to look for. I’ll leave the LT1’s for the 20 inch wheel kind of guys 🤣

      Like 3
      • Avatar AMCFAN

        Matt, The LT1 versions are more expensive for a reason. More people want them. It was the same 15 years ago when I got wago fever. Nothing has changed. They still command more money (and respect) GM changed the cars for a reason. In this case something GM did for the better.

        Buying on the cheap works for many. At the end of the day you get what you pay for. If you like them awesome. I have never been much for just adequate. Both versions are nice cars. 20″ wheels work on both.

        I prefer the latter. Nice they are still even appreciated.

        Like 3
  7. Avatar Alexander

    As I look at this, eBay is concurrently showing me a 1995 with the same paint/trim in Oregon that has only 10,000 fewer miles, for a “Buy It Now” of $17,750.

    Plus shipping.

    Either that seller is deluded, you’re deluded for NOT getting this if you need and can afford it….. or somewhere in between.

    Like 3
  8. Avatar jamie Staff

    Just got outbid :-( Which one of you did it??? I heard my wife’s sigh from the next room…

    Like 2
    • Avatar JeffD

      Wasn’t me….honest…lol. I actually hope you get it.

      Like 1
  9. Avatar Scotty Gilbertson Staff

    Two hours left, Jamie!

    Like 2
    • Avatar jamie Staff

      Less than one, now. Strategizing and examining bank account as I write.

      Like 1
  10. Avatar jamie Staff

    Well, I’ll be doggoned if we didn’t win the car! I guess I need to start planning a trip to Pennsylvania… :-)

    Like 14
    • Avatar Scotty Gilbertson Staff

      Fantastic!!!! Congratulations, Jamie! It could not have a better home to be going to. Will it fit in your trailer?!

      Like 3
      • Avatar Pat L Member

        That’s some big a$$ car to tow home. What are you pulling the trailer with? The car looks in very good shape, why don’t you fly in and drive it home?

        Like 4
      • Avatar jamie Staff

        Actually, it would *just* fit in the enclosed trailer, but we’ll take the pickup and the open one (plenty of overhang room). The trailer is more a security blanket than anything else; years of driving cars home after purchases have me gunshy of not having a backup plan. My wife is planning on driving it home with me following with an empty trailer.

        Pat, we just like family road trips and like I said, I like having a backup plan. We’ll leave mid-day on a Friday and get home Sunday afternoon if everything goes right.

        Like 5
      • Avatar Pat L Member

        Good luck Jamie.

        Like 3
    • Avatar FordGuy1972 Member

      Congrats, Jamie! It seems you got a really good deal on the ’93 Buick Roadmaster. That’s a lot of car for the money! Good luck with it!

      Like 3
  11. Avatar PRA4SNW

    Congrats Jamie! At $4300, it seems like a fantastic deal.

    Like 4
  12. Avatar Tracy

    I have a ’94 in this color but with leather interior. The front seats are like lounge chairs. The LT1 is great but at 90 mph it starts to float.

    Like 2
  13. Avatar Stan Kaminski

    I got my 1991 Roadmaster Wagon last year by placing a wanted ad in craigslist saying “maybe you, your dad or neighbor has one sitting in a garage or carport. Tell them I want to buy it.” Five days later I owned a like new 49,350 miles, garage kept absolutely rust & accident free, original Little old lady owner non-smoker for $4000. They are out there. The ad cost me nothing. Try it.

    Like 5
    • Avatar PRA4SNW

      What a great idea!
      I should do that for 95 – 99 Riviera Supercharged. Not that you can’t find a nice one, just don’t want to drive 1000 miles to get one.

      Like 4
  14. Avatar jamie Staff

    Thank you for not outbidding me, folks — I’ve talked with the seller already and he seems like a real stand-up guy. Plus I now have serious brownie points with my wife!

    Like 9
  15. Avatar Dan B.

    There is a guy in western Michigan who swaps six speed manuals into these. Awesome

    Like 6
  16. Avatar John Corey Member

    Looks like a good win, Jamie! It’s not the LT1 (94-96), but it’s still just as handsome. I’m on my 4th Roadmaster Estate, though the last three have all been 96’s. With the G80, V08, & V92 options (check the label on the inside of the right-side tailgate jamb) that gives them limited slip, tow-package, and HD cooling; these are monster haulers with 7,000 lb trailer rating (take that you wimpy pickup trucks!) – and it’s a hoot to pull a full size car hauler behind them – a real head turner that starts conversations at every gas stop. My current one (last one?) has just 28,000 miles on it, so it cost $12K. Enjoy!

    Like 3
    • Avatar jamie Staff

      Thanks, John! :-) I’ll report back once we go get it!

      Like 1
  17. Avatar JeffD

    Good Luck with it Jamie….nice buy. I have had several 1991-96 Caprices & Roadmasters. Not a one cost me much north of what you paid and every one paid for itself with many miles. You will soon wish you would have bought one 20 years ago.

    Like 2
  18. Avatar Bakyrdhero Member

    That’s a lot of car for the money. Someday I’ll pull the trigger on one of these. GLWTS and have a great trip home.

    Like 2
  19. Avatar Pete Phillips

    At 80,000 miles, that engine is probably good for another 200,000 without any major work.

    Like 3
  20. Avatar Glenn

    Yes congrats Jamie! whish I had a wife like yours!! Mine does like our 94 Estate, especially pulling our camper up north with working air and 12 MPG to boot, low 20s with out the camper. Have to turn the air off though to get that!! Always have the oldest tow vehicle in the camp ground and gets lots of compliments!!

    Like 2
  21. Avatar Bob Washburne

    I have this same car, in white. Just turned 61,000 miles. I keep going back & forth about selling it.

    I’m in “keep” mode at the moment.

    Like 1
  22. Avatar Jamie Palmer Staff

    I just posted the followup to this — my very own BF Success Story!

    Like 1

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